COULL CASE

Evening Post, Volume CVI, Issue 35, 10 August 1923, Page 3

COULL CASE

THIRD DAY OF TRIAL

REPATRIATION LOANS TO

SOLDIERS

ACCUSED IN THE BOX,

A further insight into the -working of the locivl Repatriation Office Was afforded at the Supreme Court yesterday afternoon and to-day, when the trial of Frank Victor Herbert Coull on charges of forgery, uttering, and theft was continued before the Chief Justice (Sir Robert Stout) and a jury of twelve. The accused gave evidence on his own behalf, and was subjected to a long cross-exam-ination by the Crown Prosecutor.

Mr. P. S. K. Macassey appeared for the Crown, and the accused was represented by Sir John Tindlay, K.C., with him Mr. J. S. Hanna.

In the course of his evidence yesterday afternoon, the accused said he joined the Repatriation Department in February, 1919, and left in April, 1922. His first position in the offico was records cJerk. After eighteen months he was appointed board clerk. During his work lie had to go out on office business very often, and on ihoso occasions ho asked M'Cardell fo see any persons who came into the oflice. As to the fictitious tiles which had been referred to, he could not remember any of them. M'Uardel). used to bring applicants into his office and introduce them as . personal friends. Sir John Findlay : "You have heard M'Cardell say that you went to him and. suggested a scheme of fraud. What is your general answer to that?"—" He's a liar." "Did you forge the name . of J. Ward?"—"l did not." The Chief Justice: "Did you see Ward's application:'"—"l don't lemember. , Sir John : "M'Cardell says there are nine cases, where you committed forgery. What do you say to that?"—"l did not." . "Did you ever forge anybody's name?"—"No:" Prisoner also denied that he had written Ward's name with the back of his pen. Mr. Macassey: "You and M'Cardell I think, were very friendly ?"—"ln office hours." -After office hour's?"—" No." "Never went to the races with him?" "I'es; once." "Visiting hotels together?"—" Occasionally." '' Very often ?"—"No." "You were friendly with M'Cardell right up to the time of the present proceedings?"—" No. Not after I 'left the Department." . ; "You had no quarrel with him?"— "No." "Is there any reason why he should be vindictive towards you?" "No." "Air. Weston had .impressed on you that you had to see the applicant personally?"—"^ told me that I was to be satisfied with th c applicant." "Did you ever tell Mr. Weston that M'Cardell had filled in some of the applications?"—" No." "Why?"—"l did not think it necessary. . At'this stage the hearing was adjourned until this morning. "BEFORE THE GRAND NATIONAL." When the case was resumed this morning, Mr. .Macassejr continued his cross-examination. ■ Mr. Macassey: "You say you know nothing of Ward's application?"— Yes. j\Do'you bet?"—" Not now." "But at the time you were at the Repatriation Office?"—"A little." "Did you not know that the Grand National^ was run at Christchnrch in August?"—"l know the race is run iv August." . ■ "And this file was put through on 2nd August, three days before the Grand National was run?"—"l believe that is so. "Did you see Ward's file?"—"I don't remember." Accused said he knew Hodgins, now awaiting trial en charges of forgery. They were personal friends. "And now he's working for your father's firm?"—" Yes."

<ixt you Set-him that position?"— No. He applied for the position with a number of others and was appointed on his merits at a meeting of directors." "Did you assist him?"—" No. I told him that there might be a position open. and lie applied." A CLOSE EXAMINATION. "Did you not kr.ow when M'Cardell pleaded guilty that bogus applications were put through during the time that you were interviewing officer?"—"l Tes " •'Did you go and tell Mr. Weston what you knew about the matter?" "No." "Did you not consider it would be well for your own sake?"—"l didn't think." "When you were asked to explain your part in the matter, why did you hot tell them the story that you have told in the box?"—" When I was approached by a detective and another man, who looked like a detective. I was rather flabbergasted." "Did the detective find you easily?" —"I was told that there was some difQculty in finding me." "Were you not trying to avoid the detective and Mr. Inues, the audit of-ficer?"-—"No." "After you had had a fortnight to think it over you said that you must have personally seen the various applicants mentioned in the files?"—" Yes." "Now you say that M'Caxdell played you false. Is that true?"—" Yes." "You yourself obtained a loan from the Repatriation Department?"—" Yes " "How much?"—"£3oo." "What was that for?"—"To purchase shares in my father's business." "Did you purchase any shares?"— "No."

"You put the money into the bank into your own account?".->-"Yes." "You have spent it nearly all?" "Yes."

"f»id you spend any on backing horses?"—"A little of it."

Mr. Macassey went into details of the expense, and the accused, in referring to certain amounts, said that they Referred to loans. He declined to give \\e names of -thos« to whom the loans had been made, but agreed to write the names down on a slip of paper. In reply to further questions by Sir John F.indlay, witness denied that he frequently visited hotels or racecourses. (Proceeding.)